Image
Things That Matter to...Amaro Freitas
From the slums of Recife in Brazil's North-East to international jazz icon, Amaro Freitas has earned the music world's attention for "an approach to the keyboard so unique that it's startling" (Downbeat…
J Balvin at the 02 Arena
A night of show-stopping, awe-inspiring production mixed with the perfect ratio of laid-back and heart-warming moments from the artist. J Balvin at this height of his career continues to set the standard for creativity, …
LatinoLife 22 Confirms its Place as 'the UK's Most Inclusive Festival'
The only UK festival to be chosen for 'The Inclusive Festival Guide' compiled by European research project Fest Space, LatinoLife's 7th edition delivered the UK's biggest Latin music Festival. London’s only…
Albums from Central American Artists we Love
Central America has a rich tapestry of musical styles shaped by its deep history and diverse cultural heritage. From indigenous rhythms to African, European, and mestizo influences, the music of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala,…
Top 10 New Alternative Albums
Recent years have surprised us with many new and old faces releasing albums in the Latino alternative genre. Modern alternative Latino artists have been on the rise, and every year we have new stars that surprise the charts as we…
The Global Adventures of Paquito D’Rivera
From child prodege in Havana to one of the greatest Latin jazz artists of our times, we pay tribute to the great Cuban musician and all round renaissance man.
She Who Demands the Stage
Diva is the Latin word for goddess and Cuban-Spanish singer, Lucy Calcines, became just that when her performance on The Voice UK in 2020 raised the studio to its feet, got four judges turning and became the most streamed…
Enrique Iglesias @ The 02
After a four-year absence from UK stages, Enrique Iglesias made an impressive return to Britain for his 'All the Hits Live' tour. In a packed o2 arena the Spanish pop icon proved this was more than the comeback of an…
Atlantic Records UK and ADA UK partner with new Latin music label CANDELA RECORDS
The first time there is a partnership with a UK based Latino music label
Brazilian Virtuoso - an interview with Diego Figueiredo
At the young age of 35, Latino guitar sensation Diego Figueiredo has already recorded 23 albums and played in 60 countries around the world. Hailed by George Benson as “one of the greatest guitarists I’ve seen in my whole life”,…
Willie Rosario Tunes that Rock the Dance Floor
One of the leading lights of Puerto Rican salsa, Willie Rosario aka "Mr. Afinque," this true legend of latin music has been filling dance floors for over 60 years, either by rocking it with his band or via his extensive…
‘Signo de Fuego' by La Evolución
Inspired by the modern Havana sound of large-format Timba (Cuban salsa) orchestras featuring electric guitars and synths over powerful, distinctively Cuban grooves, La Evolución is the latest creation of the acclaimed London-…
Remembering, Mongo Santamaría, Cuban Percussionist (1917-2003)
Mongo Santamaria is arguably the best Conguero ever! Part of that generation of Cuban percussionists who emigrated to the States in the 40s and 50s, Mongo had a fantastic career, recording crossover hits, releasing critically…
The Fabulous Chameleons
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs have calved a place as one of Latin America’s most successful rock bands, thanks to a unique and ever-mutating style - a concept, they say they copied from The Clash. Latino Life talks to Vicentico and…
Baroque Cubana: The Extraordinary Story of Gabriela Mulen
Gabriel Mulen is a charismatic young musician from one of Old Havana’s most iconic Afrocuban neighbourhoods who combines a career as one of only two professional organists in Havana - playing organ and harpsichord in two Early…
JESSE & JOY (East West Records)
This is the album that won Jesse & Joy, the Mexican brother and sister duo, their first US Grammy for best Latin pop album in February this year. It’s also their first to feature songs in English, some of which have already…
Surrogate Latino #7: Miguel Muziq, Latin Jazz Guitarist
Guitarist, songwriter, and producer, Miguel Muziq is a new force to be reckoned with on the Latin Jazz scene. His production/remixing credits include Usher and Kelly Rowland, now Miguel’s debut album “An Angel’s Healing” finally…
Baila La Cumbia
Baila La Cumbia - Tropical tunes from the South West guaranteed to get your feet on the dancefloor!
Little Louie Vega's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need, to get you through those times of despair? Man cannot live on sun and fish alone right? Our castaway, Little Louie Vega, the world renowned house…
We Love Johnny Pacheco
And this is the bit where we say thank you to the legend on whose shoulders we stand. Put simply, Johnny Pacheco, flautist, percussionist, bandleader, arranger and co-founder of Fania Records, was one of the most influential…
LATINO LIFE'S ULTIMATE REGGAETON RECAP 2024
Reggaeton has had its fair share of the spotlight this year thanks to some of the hottest acts' songs catapulting into the mainstream music world. Stars have used their already large fanbases to their advantage whether that’…
The Reluctant Artist
When his debut album 'Veneer' went platinum back in 2006 while a Phd student at Gothenberg University, José González’s life changed forever. About to embark on a career as a ground-breaking scientist, his instantly…
TIMBA’S TRIUMPHANT RETURN
Those who were enjoying Eliane Correa and su Evolución at this weekend's LatinoLife in the Park, are no doubt are fans of Maykel Blanco - today's bonafide guru Cuban Timba. Lucky for them, for the first time in six…
The Heart of Brazil
Brazil’s definitive fiesta front man, Zeca Pagodinho, is one of the country’s most loved artists. Embodying the free, easy-going Carioca spirit and representing the tradition of sambas de raiz (grassroot sambas), Zeca…
Things That Matter to…Susana Baca
Three-time Latin Grammy winner, Susana Baca is Peru’s most internationally renowned artist, who shone a light on the previously little known world of Afro-Peruvian rythmns. In 2021, she marked the 50th year of her career with the…
Spotlight on...Brytiago
Brytiago has become a platinum-selling Puerto Rican singer and songwriter well-known for his many own singles and featured collaborations. He has been an important figure on both reggaeton and trap scenes since his landing on…
A Megaphone for Peru's Musical Wealth
One of Peru's most groundbreaking bands, with a trajectory of almost 40 years, PeruJazz has germinated the fusion between traditional and contemporary, folkloric and urban, the cajón and the saxophone. Drawing inspiration…
Aziza Brahim - born in Africa, schooled in Cuba, resident in Spain
Aziza Brahim's music adeptly travels the expanse between her Western Saharan roots and Barcelona, her current home. Aziza is a poet and an eloquent spokesperson for the Saharawi people and their ongoing struggle for…
We Love...Gal Costa
Endowed with a charismatic and exquisite voice filled with stylistic delights, Maria da Graҫa Costa Penna Burgos (better known as Gal Costa) was a native of Salvador, Bahia. Along with Maria Bethania, she was one of the primary…
Music City Guide: Bogotá
Over the years, LatinoLife has built up relationships with amazing DJs worldwide, whose passion, knowledge and dedication to music we admire. In the second part of our new series MUSIC CITY GUIDES, where we ask DJs from around…
Latin Jazz Next Gen
Unlike other music, Jazz musicians get better with age. In Jazz linguistics, at 40, you’re a toddler just starting to talk! The following artists have pricked up our ears with their exciting new sounds. Both blessed and burdened…
THE ONLY WAY IS UP
It has been a rollercoaster few years for the Grammy award-winning singer, but now Lila Downs is appreciating life more than ever, she tells Elizabeth Mistry
Swiss Sampling: An Interview with Michel Cleis
His track ‘La Mezcla’, using a Toto La Momposina sample, became one of the biggest house tracks of the century, and it made him a household name in that market. Now the World-renowned Swiss DJ and producer just reworked Natalia…
Tito Nieves Tunes that Rock The Dance Floor
"El Pavarotti de la Salsa" as he is also known, Tito Nieves is one of the best voices of Salsa, no doubt. With a fantastic career that started in the late ’70s, Tito has managed to stay relevant and active, keeping his…
Latest Content
Film & Theatre
Paraguay – piercing the silence with a documentary film
In Europe, Paraguay is a little-known country: it isn’t on the tourist route, unless you are…
Music
A BODY IN THE WORLD
One of the brightest gems of contemporary Brazilian music, Luedji Luna fuses Afro-Brazilian rhythms…
Arts and Culture
Finding Brazilian Dance in the UK
In few cultures around the world is dance such an important expression of identity. Through Forró,…
Most Viewed
Top 10 Argentine Footballers
As one of the biggest football teams in South America and the world, the Argentine Football…
Top 10 Mexican Boxers
Globally, Mexico is known as a boxing powerhouse, boasting some of the greatest champions in the…
Ballads and Boleros
LatinoLife's Favourite Mexican Male Singers of all Time
Since the days when Mexico was a serious rival to Hollywood in terms of film production and quality…